236 



AGRICULTURE. 



successive season, for three, or four seasons, until 

 the entire old top has been replaced. 



Directions for top-grafting: (a) Time. This work 

 should be done in the spring, just before, or about the 

 time, the buds open, or even \aiei-, J^rovi'ded the scions can 

 be kept dormant, as in root-grafting. 



(/-) The stock is prepared by making a smooth, hori- 



FIG. 77. STEPS IN STEM-GRAFTING. 



zontal cut through the stem. A vertical slit about an 

 inch and one-half in length is now made down through 

 the center (Fig. 77). 



(c) The scion is prepared by making two diagonal 

 cuts across the lower end, one on the opposite side of 

 the stem from the other, so as to form a wedge-shaped 

 point (Fig. 77). 



[d) Since it doubles the chances of growth, two scions 

 should be inserted in each cleft, inclining them at a slight 



